Chocolate Cream Cheese Muffins

Ingredients

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For Muffins
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• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups water
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

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For Filling
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• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup apple sauce
• 1/4 cup agave nectar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

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For Frosting
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• 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Method

preheat oven to 350 degrees F. line muffin cups with paper liners.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, salt and baking soda. stir in butter, water, vinegar and vanilla until blended. pour mixture into prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full.

In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, apple sauce, agave nectar and salt until light and fluffy. stir in chocolate chips. drop a heaping teaspoonful of the cream cheese mixture into each cupcake. bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. allow to cool completely before icing.

To make frosting, using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in large bowl until smooth. add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.